Drying process and apparatus therefor



C. FIELD.

DRYING PROCESS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR.

2 9 1 .l 9 w N d m m D1 om C. E D D u N o u A rl H DI A 3 SHEETS-SHEETI.

C. F-ILD.

DRYING PROCESS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED vaas. 1917.

l ,358,43 1 K Patented Nov.. 9,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET v2.

/N VEN TUH @4% 5L/2%! C. FIELD.

DRYING PROCESSAND APPARATUS THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.8. 19|?.

Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

vi/Egg@ n? M Wai/7. @d Arron/vn CROSBY FIELD, F BROOKLYN,

NEW FORK, ASSIGNOR TO CHEMICAL MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N'.Y.

DnYINcfPnocEss AND ArPARATUs THEREFOR.

To all whom it may concern: l

e it known that I, CROSBY FIELD, a citizen of the `United States, andresident of the borough of Brooklyn, city, county, and State of NewYork, have invented certain newv rand useful Improvements in DryingProcesses and Apparatus Therefor, of which the following .is aspecification.

- 'that is, in drying dyes,

The presentv invention relates to an improved drying process andapparatus there for, particularly for use inthe drying of chemicals,such as organic salts for colors, dyes, or the like, which prior t0Ydrying are in a plastic or semi-liquid state.

.H ei'etofore, drying' processes in which a vacuum has been employed,have been intermittent in their operation, which resulted in numerousdisadvantages and a' non-uniform drying, which obviously tended to theproduction of an inferior product.

Furthermore, the apparatus was cumbersome, complicated, and slow inoperation, and did not permit ofv interchangeability, oneapparatus couldonly be used for one color without expensive cleaning.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to obviate thesediiiculties and to provide a continuous drier in which a vacuum may bemaintained, and it is also an object to produce an apparatus of suchsimplicity that numerous such apparatuses may be installed, consistentwith economy, and at the same time I propose that each apparatus may byslight interchangeability of certain of its elements, be adapted tothedrying of various colors successively, that is, after one color is driedthel change in the apparatus is made and thereupon another color maybedried.

To this end, I propose to provide in the present embodiment of 'myinvention a squirting action, whereby the wet or plastic dye or chemicalmay be squirted through a nozzle or orifice,

ed in a thin film over a large area or in a plurality of streams, sothat a quick drying action results.

I also propose to provide an air tight tunnel or chamber for housing theconveyer apron, in whichthe atmospheric condition i `may be controlled,it being possible to maintain an air/'pressure either above or belowatmosphere, or the atmosphere may be satspeciecation of Letters Patent.

Application led December 8, 1917. Serial No.

veyer frame, which may be upon a continuously moving endless apron, thematerial being squirt- Patented Nov. 9, .1920. 206,158.

.urated to any desired degree by water of evaporatiom'or an atmosphereof gas, or any other desirable composition maybe introduced. An objectis toprovide in connection with the proved heating jacket which may besupplied with hot water, steam, oil, or other suitable heating means.

Under certain conditions the material is in such a moist state that itis desirable to eX- tract the excess moisture before introducing thematerial into the drying chamber, so that it is a further object of theinvention to provide means for automatically ing the desired amount ofnloisture before squirting the material into the chamber.

A stillfurther object is to provide a conreadily removed from the dryingchamber, and in connection therewith a conveyer apron which effectuallysupports and retains the material during the drying process and deliversthe same therefrom when dried.

With these'and other objects in viewfan embodiment of my invention isshown in the accompanying drawings, and the process and apparatus willbe hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims. i

In the accompanying drawings;

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinally sectional view of the apparatus;

Fig. 6 is a similar view of a modified nozzl'having a pluralityof'orifces; U. ig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view-sunllar to Fig. iand showing the filter attachment in place;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is an elongated plan view of a p0rtion `of the filter attachmentshowing the surface formation;

Fig. l0 is a vertical sectional. view thereof;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view-of a modified form of press; andX-Fig.` l2 is a vertical sectional view with parts broken away, Showingthe manner of face of the portion The lower surface maintaining a vacuumin the drying chamof the orifice 36, it will be seen, is substanber.tially continuous w'th the surface of the 'Similar reference charactersindicate corclosure.

responding parts throughout the several At the front faceof the portion35, a cirigures ofthe drawings. cumferential interiorly threaded ring 44is 70 Referring to the drawings, the embodisecured by means of bolts orscrews 45, and ment shown by way of example therein, for within thisring 44 there is screwed the excarrying out my invention, comprises apress terlorly threaded end 46 of anelongated cyat one end, consistingof a cylinder 2() in the lindrical chamber or tunnel 47, which in 75bore 21 ofwhch thereis slidably mounted a practice may be cf anysuitable length 'to plunger shaft 22 provided at its upper end suit theparticular drying being carried out. with a piston head' 23 disposed ina double A removable closure is provided at the outer acting pump, ormotor 24, mounted above endof the chamber which comprises a plate thecylinder upon a pair of standards 25 and 48 heVlIlg an annulary threadedIlng 49 Sef 8o 26, the lower flanged ends 27 of the said cured theretoby bolts 50, which is screwed Y standards being bolted as at 28 to alateral P Ol the threaded end 51 0f the Chamberi liange 29jat the upperend of the cylinder A removable block 52, preferably formed of A lateralport or feed opening 20a is hard WOQd, 1S disposed 111 the en d of 'the2o provided inthe cylinder below the top of the Chamber land has itsinner face inclined as at 85 stroke of theplunger indicated at 2 2, the53 t0 the edge of'an outlet pipe or nipple cylinder being suitablyformedas at 20'J for 54, at the 10Wer end 0f wh1ch there 1s prothe attachmentof a feed vpipe or the like.- vided a iange55 to which may beattachedThe pump is provided at its ends above and any suitable means f orreceiving or convey- .below the piston head 23 with inlet and out mg ihe dried materlal- ,o let ports 30, 31 and 32, 33 respectively, andmlet-Plpe 5 6 Mld fm Outlet P lpe 57 are by meansof which compressedair, steam, o'r PI'OVlded I 'eSpeCtlVely 1n'` proximity trl the othersuitable driving 'medium may be alter- Outer and {DDel'elldSO theChamber 4L for nately applied above and below the piston the edmlSSlOll5f hOt mi' 0r gas, and flanges 3o to depress and. retract 'the plungerShaft 58 and 59 are secured thereto for the attach- .95 l

This action may be controlled automatically ment Q S11-able feed @11dWaste COPIICIODS as is well known in the art, and it will beand'-PIIESSUIB 01 1301111111 gage 60 15d-R520m understood other' powermeans l mllIllCLtlOIl thel'ewllih" BS at 61. ma be employed toreciprocate the plunger..V the Chamber may he COlllleCted thIOligh the35 t itsV lower end the cylinder 20 is pro'- Plpes 56 and'57 t0 a VacuumPmdlcmg aP' 100 vided with 'a ange 34 extending partially Pltlls laboutthecircu'mference thereof and at the SllllOllndlllg the 111e 01'POItlOll 0f the ends 0f the Said ilange, and occupying the chamber 47,and prefera ly intermediate the remainder ofthe circumference, there isprofeed and Outlet plpes'56- and 5.7, there is ar- 40 vided a datvertically .disposed portion 35 ranged an annular heatingiacket 62,closed 105 extending above and substantially below the et. 1tS eIldS asat 63 and 64, and'provided lower end of the cylinder and` .having itsWlthllllet and O lltlet plpeS 65 and 66, a PreS- inner ,surfacetangential to the `bore 21 511.113 gage 67 helllg 111 CQmIlluIlleatIOntherethereof. .The portion 35 has a laterally dis- Wlth, aS at 68-Wlthlll the Chamber 47 posed lorifice 36provided` therein, the lowerthere S diSPpSed a IemOVable COIIVeyel 110 surface v thereof being-substantially flush frame COmPllSlIlg e Peil' 0f SPaCed rectanguwiththe lower end ofthe cylinder. The orilar slde plates 69 and 70, securedtogether at ticev 36 is quite thin in the form shown, while Suitableintervals' by means of cross rods 71. in width it is slightly less thanthe diameter These Plates are 0f Such helght that the 0f th, bore 21.These dimensions may of vframe may be readily Withdrawn upon 'i'e- 115course be vvaried as desired to suit-the par moval 0f the end closure,and the lowerV ticular material being dried, and as shown in edgesthereof rest upon the inner surface of Fig. 6, there'may be provided aplurality of the chamber. cylindrical openings, as at 37. The outer Atthe outer end of the frame, there is. end of the oriiice extends into Aaprojecting 'l journaled substantially centrally thereof a 120 nozzleportion 38 which extends over the end drive shaft 72 having a drum 73mounted of the drying apron, presently to be de thereon, one end of theshaft being provided scribed, this portion being shown in. cross with -aretaining collar 74, while the other section in Fig's. 5 and endisprovided with a pinion 75. At the 6 The lower end 'of the bore'21 of thecylininner end the frame is provided with a pair 125 der is closed by aconsole vclosure member 'of superimposed shafts 76 and 77 having 39, thelateral portion 40 of which conforms 'guida'v rollers 78 and 79 mountedthereon, and is bolted as at 41 to the ange 34 of the and an endlessconveyer or apron 80 prefercylinder, while the depending portion 42 isably formed of canvas, but which may be secured byl bolts or screws .43to the inner rubber, metal, or other suitable'composition, 130

'porting the said member. Beneath is carried about these rollers' andthe drum 73. Intermediate the said rollers and the drum thereareprovided in suitably spaced relation, a plurality of supportingrollers 82, which maintain the level of the apron. As clearly indicatedin Figs. 2 and 3', the ends of the drum and rollers are provided withcurved flanges 81 and 82a which give the apron a basin-shape, therebyretaining the plastic material being dried thereon. At the under side oftheapron and in proximity to the ends of the frame, there are providedtightening devices which automati- Y cally take up any slack orlooseness in the.

apron. rlhese tightening devices each comprise a yoke member consistingof a' pair of arms 83 and 84 connected traeted portion thereof by-a rod85 and a sleeve 86, a roller 87 being journaled with.- in the enlargedportion,.a shaft 88 passing through the said sleeve and secured at itsends to the' plate 69 and 70 rotatably supthe yoke member there ismounted upon a shaft 89 a lever arm 90, which bears at one end upontherod 85 and at its other end is connected toa cross piece 91 by meanslcfa spring v92, thereby yieldably holding'v the roller in engagementwith the apron. rlhe ends of the-rollers are rounded as at 93, so thatthe basin-like shape of the apron is maintained.

rlhe small diameter of the rollers 78 and l 79 permit of theapronextending' in Hat reend of a drive shaft 98 chamber with a piniongear 99, and packlation beneath the nozzle serves to precipitate thedried material into the pipe 54, a doctor or scraping knife 93Pz beingprovided at the outer end of the frame, which removes the material fromthe apron and forms with the inclined face of the block 52, a chute forthe said pipe 54. It will be understood that other suitable means may beemployed for removing the material, as for instance, vertical wires 152in the vcase of a material which cakes when dried, thus breaking thecake into strips, which renders the removal thereof easier.

A .bearing support 94 is secured to the chamber 47 by meansof rivets 95,and surrounding a shaft opening 96 in theside of the chamber, there isprovided on the said supporta cup bearing 9 which supports one providedwithin the ing 100 is provided within the said bearing to prevent theentrance of air into the chamber, the packing being secured in place bymeans of anut 101. The outer end of the shaft issupported in a bearingbracket 102, 'secured at 103 to an eiitension 104 of the support 94, andintermediate the said bracket and the nut 101 there are provided-uponvthe shaft a tight pulley 105 and a pulley 106 upon which ai'suitable' drive belt may be shifted to operate the shaft.

at the coning apron,

38, while the drum hasv the same The pinion'gear 99 is so disposedwithin the chamber, that the pinion '75 of the drum 73 will meshtherewith and be driven thereby when the frame is fully inserted intothe chamber. This construction it will be seen, permits of theconvenient removal of the frame.

The operation is as follows:

The plunger is raised to the top of its stroke and the cylinder 20 isfilled through the opening 20a with the plastic or semiliquid materialto be dried. A suitablel atmospheric state is produced in the chamber 47which is sealed by the material in the cylinder, and the same is heatedby admistionof a heating medium, yas hot water, steam, oil or the likeinto the heatingjacket. The air in the drying chamber may be of anydesirable pressure, either above or below atmosphere, and it may besaturated to any desired degree during ter of evaporation, or a gas orother suitable composition may be introduced.

rThe apron 80 is set into motion through the gears 75 and 99, and theplunger 22 is slowly depressed, so that the plastic material is squirtedthrough the orice 36 in a thin and wide film into the surface of themovand hence the vmaterial will .dry quickly and uniformly. The`operation is continuous until the material in the cylin- -der isexhausted, the material drying gradif desired, whereby the cake may bebroken into smaller strips, tion from the apron desired to dry renderingthe separaeasier. a material of another color or composition, theconveyer frame 'may be bodily withdrawn from the chamber by removing theclosure at the end thereof, the apron removedfrom the same, and anotherapron placed thereon in its stead. The squirting nozzle, plunger, andcylinder are thoroughly cleaned, so that no remnants of the previous dyeremain, and thereupon the apparatus is charged with the new dye`orchemical which is then dried as above pointed out. The simpleconstruction of the apparatu's thereof for. cleaning or other purposes.

It hlappens,'upon' occasion, that the material to be dried is in such amoist state that itis desirable to extract the excess moisture beforeinjectingthe material into the `drying chamber. For this purpose, Iprovide a filter cap 107, shown in Figs. 7 to 10, which general shape ofthe closure Should it be permits of the easy disassembling shown inmember 39, and replaces the same as clearly Fig. 8, a piece of filtercloth 108 being placed at the upper side thereof, and held by carryingthe same between the fiange 110 and the portion 35, as at 108. Theexposed portion ofthe upper surface of the filter cap is provided witha' plurality of communicating grooves 109, these grooves beingpreferably formed by twoseries of spaced parallel V-shaped groovesdiagonally crossing` each other, so that a studded surface is produced.At that portion of -the cap within the bore and removed from thedepending flange 110 there are provided a plurality of passages 111',extending entirely through the cap and having their inner ends Y at theintersection of thegrooves. J Thus cirvculation of the moisture ispermitted beneath the filter cloth and the same freely runs to and isdrained off through the pas material itself from entering the passagesl111. As the moisture is removed, the material gradually becomes harder,and the increased pressure upon the plug forces the same outof` theorifice whereupon the dryingprocess continues in 'the normal manner.

-In ratus for extractlng excess moisture from the material prior to itsinjection into ,the drying chamber.

The cylinder120 is provided with a reciprocating plunger shaft 121within the bore 122thereof, and with va lateral orifice 123 having itsoutlet end disposed in the drying chamber 47, as in the foregoing forms.

In the lower part of the cylinder, there is provided a piston 124, thepiston head 125 of which is disposed in a pressure chamb er 126 providedat the lower end of the cylinder. At the uppermost position of thepiston indicated in full lines in the drawing,

Vthe piston closes the orifice 123, while in its lowermost positionwhich is determined by suitable'stops 127 in"the.pressure chamber, itsupper surface isv substantially fiush with` the lower surface of theorifice as indicated -in dotted lines. i y

'At a point above the orifice .andalso above the uppermost position ofthe piston 124, there is provided'in the cylinder a lateral opening 128.A filter member 129 is secured tothe cylinder by means of bolts 130, 'anannulus portion 131 of which is disposed in the said openingl 128, andis provided ivith a 'plurality of passages 132 extending therethrough,and communicating Fig. 11, I have shown a modified appalivery pipe 151.

tion of the drier, the valve 147 is open, and

with a channel 133 ofthe said member. A`

filter cloth 134 is secured over the face of the filter, being carriedover the sides thereof, as'at 135,'to securely hold the same. A pipe 136for carrying off'the extracted moisture is secured to the lower end ofthe filter y member.y

' In operation, pressure is applied below the piston head 125` by anysuitable medium, as for instance, steam, or compressed air and thecylinder is filled with the semi-liquid material to be dried. Theplunger 121 is thereupon depressed, pressingY the moisture from thematerial, through the filter, the same being carried off through thepipe 136. When the material becomes of the desired consistency, 4theincreased pressure overcomes the pressure in the chamber 126, which itwillbe understood, is predetermined, depressing the plunger 124 andexposing the orifice 123, whereupon the material is squirted through theorifice into the drying chamber, as before pointed out. The upper end ofthe plunger 124, it will be noted, forms a base for the bore 122, sothat the material is suitably guided into the orifice.

ln Fig. 12, l have illustrated the manner of maintaining a vacuum in thedrying chamber. The entrance end, as before pointed out, is sealed bythe incoming material in the orifice 36, while the pipes 56 and 57 areconnected by a manifold 140, to a vacuum pump '141, the ends of themanifold being provided `with flanges 142 and 143 respectively, whicharesecured by bolts 144 to the flanges 58 and 59. Air is thereby exhastedfrom the drying chamber at both en s.

The delivery pipe 54 hasconnected thereto a pair of communicatinghoppers 145 and 146, the latter being of greater capacity, and each areprovidedwith air tight valves 1'47 and 148. The hopper 145 is providedwith a suitable fiange 149 which is securedto the flange 55 bybolts 150,and the hopper 146 is provided below the valve 148 with a de- Normally,during operathe valve 148 is closed, and the hopper146 becomes filledwith the dried material. Thereupon the valve 147 is closed, and uponppenmoved, the hopper 145 receivingl'the dried material from thechamberfduring this removal period. After-removalf'of the material fromthe hopper 146, the valve 148 is ing ofthe valve 148 the material maybere chamber at all' duction of a uniform and perfect product.

l`l1e simplicity of the apparatus permits of as many apparatuses beingused as there are different dyes or chemicals, and on the other hand, anapparatus 'is provided which b very slight change may be adapted to thedrying of different compositions successively. i

I have illustrated and described a\,pre- :ferred and satisfactoryembodiment of my invention, but it is obvious that changes may be madetherein within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appendedclaims.

l claim:

1. An improved process for drying plastic or semi-liquid compositionsWhich consists in compressing as a whole, a relatively large mass of thematerial to be dried, and forcing the same by compression in arelatively thin strip unbroken longitudinally through a restrictedoutlet upon a moving conveyer, and drying the same upon said conveyer.

2. An improved process for drying plastic or semi-liquid compositionswhich consists in compressing a relatively large mass of material to bedried, expressing excess moisture from said mass by an initialapplication of said pressure, and squirting said material by subsequentpressure after expression of said excess moisture.

3. An improved process for drying plastic or semi-liquid compositionswhich consists in compressing, as a Whole, a relatively large mass ofmaterial to be dried, and squirting said material by compression upon amoving conveyer in a sealed chamber, the incoming material moving at aspeed substantially according to the speed of the conveyer, and sealingsaid chamber at thepoint of entrance of the material.

L1. An improved process for drying plastic or semi-liquid compositionsWhich consists in initially compressing said material to express excessmoisture therefrom exteriorly of the drying chamber, providing ayieldable seal in the entrance to the drying chamber, and bycontinuation of said compression, and when the materialhas reached apredetermined plasticity, removing said seal by the increased pressure,and squirting the material through a restricted outlet upon a movingconveyer, and drying the same on said conveyer in said drying chamber.

5. An improved process for drying plastic or semi-liquid compositionsWhich con'- sists in causing an extraction of a given a quantity of thematerial from a chamber in a stream unbroken longitudinally upon amoving conveyer, drying the same upon said conveyer,` and removing vitwhen dried from saidconveyer to a receiving part Within said chamber.

6. A dryingapparatus for drying plastic or semi-liquid compositionscomprising a press having a cavity adapted to receive a an endlessrelatively carried thereby,

basin-shaped adapted to reciprocate in said cavity to remove saidmaterial therefrom through said outlet, aV drying chamber incommunication with said outlet, a conveyer-in said chamber adapted to becontinuously operated, said press adapted to squirt the material in astream unbroken longitudinally upon said conveyer, said plunger adaptedVto move proportionately to said conveyer, to produce said stream ofuniform plasticity and density.

7. A drying apparatus for drying plastic or semi-liquid compositions,comprising a press, having a cavity adapted to receive a given quantityof material, a base for said cavity, said press having an angularlyextending outlet passage Substantially flush with said base, a plungeradapted to reciprocate in said cavity to remove said material therefrom,a drying chamber in communication with said outlet, a conveyer in saidchamber, having its upper surface substantially parallel to said outletpassage, and having one end -in proximity thereto, said plunger adaptedto compress said material, an cause an angular extraction thereofthrough lsaid outlet in a stream unbroken longitudinally upon saidconveyer..

8. A drying apparatus for drying plastic or semi-liquid compositions,comprising a press,` an elongated drying chamber in communication Withsaid press at one end, a removable `closure at the other end, means forheating said drying chamber, and a conveyer in said chamber comprising aframe adapted to be bodily removed from said chamber upon removal ofsaid closure, Wide conveyer apron and means for continuously drivingsaid apron, said press adapted to continuously squirt the material to bedried upon said apron, said apron adapted to receive the moist materialat one end of said chamberv and deliver the same dried at the other endthereof. Y

9. A drying apparatus'for dryingplastic or semi-liquid compositions,comprising a drying inclosure, a conveyer in said inclosure, comprisinga frame, and an end-v or semi-liquid'cortpositions,y comprising a ipress, a closed elon ated drying chamber in communication therewith,means for heating said drying chamber, and a conveyer in said chambercomprising a frame, andan endless Vrelatively 'Wide conveyer aproncarried thereby, saidapron being substantially in cross section.

imv

11. A drying apparatus for drying plastic or semi-liquid,compositions,comprising a press, an elongated drying chamber in communication withsaid press at .one end, a removable closure at the other end, means forheating said drying chamber, and a conveyer 'in said chamber comprisingayframe adapted to be bodily removed from said chamber upon removal ofsaid closure, an endless relatively wide conveyer apron carried thereby,and means for continuously driving' said apron, said conveyer adapted tobe brought'respectively into and out of' operative relation with saiddriving means upon 1nsert1on and removal of said frame.

12. A drying apparatus for drying'plastic` or semi-liquid compositions,comprlslng a drying inclosure, a removable closure, a conveyer in saidinclosure, adapted to be bodily removed from said chamber upon removal'ofi` said closure, an apron carrie thereby, means for driving saidapron, said conveyer adapted to be brought respectively into and out ofoperative relation with said driving means upon insertion and removal ofsaid frame.

13. A drying apparatus for dryingplastic or semi-liquidy compositions,comprising a drying inclosure a removable closure, a conveyer in saidinclosure, adapted to'be bodily removed from said chamber upon removalof said closure, an apron carried thereby,

, rotatable means for driving said apron )ourmaterial, and

nal'ed in said inclo'sure, packing means adapted to render the journalair-tight,said conveyer adapted to be brought respectively into and outof operative relation with said driving means upon insertion and removalof said frame.

1 4. A drying apparatus for drying plastic or semi-liquid compositions,comprising a press provided with a discharge orifice, a closed dryingchamber in communication with` said discharge orifice, adapted to becontinuously operated in said chamber, a filter for said press adaptedto draw excess moisture from said material, and closure means for saidorifice adapted to be operated by said press to unseal said orifice, theinterposed material between said press and said orifice adapted asthe-moisture is drawn therefroml to operate said closure means to unsealsaid orifice,

said press adapted to squirt the material to be dried through saidorifice upon said conveyerl af-15.Y A drying apparatus or semi-liquidcompositions, compr1s1ng a press provided with a discharge orifice, adrying chamber incommunication with said discharge orifice, a filter forsaid press adapted to draw excess. moisture from said closure meansunder pressure a conveyer for dryingl plastic for sealing said orificeadapted to be moved by said press under a pressure greater than thepressure of said closure means.

16. In a drying apparatus, feeding means adapted to feed the material tobe dried, an elongated 'drying chamber in communication with' saidfeeding means, a removable closure at one end of said chamber, aconveyer comprising a frame adapted to be bodily removed from saidchamber upon removal of said closure, and anendless conveyer aproncarried thereby.

17 In a drying apparatus, feeding means adapted to feed the material tobe dried, an elongated drying chamber in communication with said feedingmeans, a removable closure at one end of said chamber, a frame adaptedto be bodily removed from said chamber upon removal of said closure, anendless conveyer apron carried thereby, and

means for continuously driving said apron,

said conveyer adapted to be brought respectively ,into and out ofoperative relation with said driving means upon insertion and removal ofsaid frame. i

18. A d rying apparatus for drying plastic or semi-liquid compositions,comprising a press having a relatively long angularly disposed dischargeorifice of uniform cross section, and a drying chamber in communicationwith said orifice.

19. A drying apparatus for dryingplastic or` semi-liquid compositions,comprlsing a press provided with a discharge orifice, a drying chamberin communication with said discharge orifice, a filter forwsaid press,-

adapted to draw excess moi ture from said material, and'closure meansunder pressure for sealing said orifice, adapted to be moved by saidpress under a pressure of said press,

greater than the pressure of said closure means, said closure meansadapted to reseal said orifice when said pressure is released.- l, 20. Adrying apparatus for drying plastic or semi-liquid compositions, pressincluding two plungers adapted `to exert opposed pressure upon materialtherebetween, a discharge orifice adapted to be comprising a closed byoneof said plungers, and adaptedl "to be moved to open said orifice whenthe pressure of the material and said other plunger is greater than theopposed pressure of said plunger, said. other plunger adapted tosquirtthe material through said orifice, and 'a drying chamberadaptedtoreceive said material.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, Ihave slgnedmyname in e presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' CROSBY FIELD.

Witnesses:

H. N. STUART, Mon M. WEINBERG.

